Results in Super Rugby this weekend – with New Zealand and Australian teams involved in derbies that could prove decisive while the Cell C Sharks look on – are set to shape the selection decisions made by the latter’s head coach, Jake White. White, whose team’s tenuous hold on top spot on the overall standings looks unlikely to last the weekend, needs to pick a strategy ahead of the last two round robin games against the Cheetahs and the Stormers. [...]

It’s not just on the Super Rugby log that the Sharks have lost ground; their unexpected (and perhaps catastrophic) loss to the Stormers late last month have taken a fair bit of gloss off their title hopes in the eyes of the men who live or die by getting results right. [...]

Finally a break from Super Rugby and the champions should be already in the top 3, I reckon. The break has come a week too late for the Sharks who have set the pace in this year’s edition of Super Rugby. [...]

I caught up with a relaxed Stephan Lewies earlier today – the big Cell C Sharks lock enjoying some rare downtime as the team prepares for Saturday’s crunch Vodacom Super Rugby clash against the Brumbies in Canberra. [...]